Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 40,242,961?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4024296111 x 365845117 x 2367233187 x 215203289 x 1392493179 x 12659
Negative: -1 x -40242961-11 x -3658451-17 x -2367233-187 x -215203-289 x -139249-3179 x -12659


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 40,242,961?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 40,242,961, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 40,242,961
-1 -40,242,961

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 40,242,961.

Example:
1 x 40,242,961 = 40,242,961
and
-1 x -40,242,961 = 40,242,961
Notice both answers equal 40,242,961

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 40,242,961 and divide it by 2:

40,242,961 ÷ 2 = 20,121,480.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 20,121,480.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 40,242,961
-1 -40,242,961

Now, we try dividing 40,242,961 by 3:

40,242,961 ÷ 3 = 13,414,320.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 13,414,320.3333 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 40,242,961
-1 -40,242,961

Let's try dividing by 4:

40,242,961 ÷ 4 = 10,060,740.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,060,740.25 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 40,242,961
-1 40,242,961
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

111171872893,17912,659139,249215,2032,367,2333,658,45140,242,961
-1-11-17-187-289-3,179-12,659-139,249-215,203-2,367,233-3,658,451-40,242,961

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